Pathways to Play

The DeKalb County Regional Office of Education partnered with local high schools to offer opportunities for high school students to explore teaching as a career pathway.
ROE Pathways to Play logo

Recognizing the teacher shortage, especially in early childhood education and care, the ROE, in partnership with six school sites, established Pathways to Play clubs —a program designed to develop a local educator pipeline. Each participating school site has an installed children’s garden for use by the school community. Pathways to Play aligns with the goals and values of the DeKalb County ROE to promote Basics DeKalb County and support kindergarten readiness, outdoor learning, and STEAM education.

Enjoy visiting one of the Pathways to Play Children’s Gardens at the following sites outside of normal school hours before dusk:

Hiawatha Elementary School

Hiawatha Elementary School garden

410 1st St, Kirkland, IL 60146
(entrance is located in the back next to the greenhouse)

Kingston Elementary School

Kingston Elementary School garden

100 School St, Kingston, IL 60145
(entrance is behind the school)

Kishwaukee Education Consortium

Kishwaukee Education Consortium garden

21255 Malta Rd, Malta, IL 60150
(garden is located north of KEC)

Early Learning and Development Center

Early Learning and Development Center garden

1515 S 4th St, DeKalb, IL 60115
(garden is located west of ELDC)

Hinckley-Big Rock Elementary School

Hinckley-Big Rock Elementary School garden

600 W Lincoln Ave, Hinckley, IL 60520
(entrance is located east of the school in the rear parking lot)

James R. Wood Elementary School

Three garden beds at the Somonauk Children's Garden in front of the elementary school playground.

320 Maple St, Somonauk, Illinois 60552
(garden is located west of the school)